Crape myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica Alba is the white flowing crape myrtle.

Preferring full sun and a free draining soil, flowers are initiated in hot summers for a September display.

You won’t get flowers every year, but you will always have the great autumn colour and bark texture to fall back on.

Deciduous trees, Crape myrtle likely come from China rather than India, and can handle moderate frost. You can plant them in stony-loamy soil in your garden. If the tips of the shoots freeze in harsh winters, don't worry. You should cut back the branches heavily every year in March or April because the flowers grow on shoots that are one year old or new shoots from the same year.

I have one thriving in Rutland, but ideally the warmer south of England is preferable.

Mature height: 3-7m

Common names

Crape myrtle

Height of tree

3-7m

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Rounded

Blossom Colour

White

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Bark interest

Looks good in

Autumn

Location

Garden